by Tesla stores unsold Cybertrucks in Detroit, and local authorities are displeased
Tesla is facing a problem due to low sales of its Cybertruck electric pickups. Some of these vehicles were placed in the parking lot of Hunter’s Square shopping mall in a Detroit suburb, which angered local officials. They point to violations of city regulations, as using the area for car storage is prohibited.
According to Crain’s Detroit Business, dozens of Cybertrucks, as well as other Tesla models, are parked at the lot. The shopping center, which previously housed Bed, Bath and Beyond and Torrid, is currently undergoing renovation. City representatives have already notified the property owner about the violation, but resolving the issue may take time.
Cybertruck sales issues
Despite Elon Musk’s claims of a million pre-orders, actual Cybertruck sales have fallen far short of expectations. In 2023, Tesla managed to sell only 40,000 units, while the company had planned to sell 250,000. Against this backdrop, the competitor Ford F-150 Lightning outsold the Cybertruck in terms of volume.
To boost the model’s appeal, Tesla introduced a base version with a single motor and rear-wheel drive priced at $69,990, as well as offering discounts and free charging for buyers.
The situation with storing unsold vehicles highlights the challenge Tesla faces in balancing production and demand. Meanwhile, Detroit authorities are working to protect the city’s interests, ensuring land is used in accordance with development plans.
